A Song is Anything That Can Walk By Itself

I'm usually pretty open minded when it comes to music, I listen to all genres (country isn't music). From that heavy screaming to your light acoustic, from Abba to Notorious. My views on music have changed a lot in the past few years though. There have been a few bands that have always been up there on my favorites though, my favorite three bands would have to be Led Zeppelin, Alexisonfire, and Radiohead. All of them share one characteristic though, they are amazing; in their own unique ways.


Led Zeppelin is a band that almost any individual would appreciate if you put them on. I first started listening to them in grade 4 when I got guitar lessons from my friend who thought that "Black Dog" would be a good first song to learn. It definitely wasn't, but it sure taught me how to move my fingers fast. One thing this band was very good at and has always kept me interested is how they manage to build up a song to the point where when it finally comes in with an exhilarating BANG, leaving you on the verge of tears. Not only is this band consisted of talented individuals; but it has one, if not thee, greatest drummer in the world, John Bonham. With the phenomenal drum solo of "Moby Dick". Making Led Zeppelin one of the bands that's legacy will always continue on even without the great John Bonham in the past. (1948-1980)


Another band that has stuck with me for roughly 3 years is Alexisonfire. The reason for them being one my top three is mainly because of the fact that they've kept their same genre even though they are quite publicized and have a lot of media on them. Bands tend to fall under the genre of pop when they begin to get big, in order to attract more fans, and in the end make more money. Continuing on as one of the few bands that have their lead singer, (George Pettit), a screamer and manage to be very successful as well. Part of the reason that they can still manage to have their heavy genre and still be very popular is that they have a very fine balance of singing and screaming. Adding to the whole "build up" factor. Their two back up singers, Dallas Green and Wade MacNeil, have incredible vocals and everything just works very well with these guys. An example as to exactly how successful these guys are, Dallas Green has made two solo CD's from City and Colour's "Sometimes" and "Bring Me Your Love" that spread like wild fire once released. If that wasn't enough talent for the band, Wade MacNeil went out and on a different limb and started another band off to the side,while still working with Alexisonfire, called Black Lungs. For one band to have two side projects and still be successful is astonishing. Which leads to why Alexisonfire was one of my choices.


Saving the very best for last, some reasons as to why Radiohead is on my top 3 is that the singer is phenomenal, who just so happens to be extremely intelligent. Radiohead isn't like other bands; who over advertise all of their merchandise and is all about corporate earnings. With the release of the album "Kid A", without the support of radio play, they sold this album entirely over the Internet. The buying price was merely by donation. If you felt that you wanted to contribute nothing to the band and get their CD, you could expect it in your mail. Other's who actually appreciate the band would obviously pay a considerable price. They never talked about their album or even advertised it, word was spread completely by others. Even Oasis' chief Noel Gallagher admitted that Kid A's marketing scheme was it's lack of any promotion. Going to show that if you are truly talented as an individual or band, that you don't need to be over played on the radio or advertised on every second channel on TV in order to be successful. It all comes down to what you consider "success". And in my eyes, Radiohead has found it. Thom Yorke (vocalist) released a solo album "The Eraser"in July 2006. And in 2008 was ranked #66 in The Rolling Stones "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

In conclusion all of the bands I have chosen as my top three are for good reasoning. All of these bands are very talented and unique in their own ways. These bands stuck out to me for all different reasons, and as time goes on they will always grow on me. The more you listen, the more you learn to love, (except for the Jonah's Brother's, they're right beside country).